Latest Michigan news, sports, business and entertainment at 9:20 p.m. EDT

CONGRESS-STEVENS

US Rep Haley Stevens of Michigan marries software engineer

LIVONIA, Mich. (AP) — U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens of Michigan has married software engineer Rob Gulley in an outdoor ceremony. The Democrat’s office released a statement Sunday saying Stevens married Gulley on Friday evening “in their home state of Michigan.”‘ Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel officiated the ceremony. Stevens’ office says that in order to attend guests had to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test upon arrival. The 38-year-old Stevens and 37-year-old Gulley met while attending high school and reconnected in 2017. Stevens is in her second term. Her district includes parts of Wayne and Oakland counties.

BENZENE-VAPOR-MICHIGAN-SEWERS

State officials recommend more evacuations after fuel leak

FLAT ROCK, Mich. (AP) — State health officials are recommending more home evacuations in a Detroit suburb following an earlier fuel leak at the Ford Flat Rock Assembly Plant that was the source of flammable vapor in the sewers. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Wayne County said response teams are going door-to-door in Flat Rock on Sunday to inform affected areas. State officials say it’s unclear which specific homes are at risk but anyone concerned about potential exposure to benzene vapor should consider evacuation. State officials on Friday confirmed the source was a fuel leak at the Ford Flat Rock Assembly Plant.

UP FAIR

After year off, people flock to UP State Fair, set records

ESCANABA, Mich. (AP) — Who doesn’t like a corn dog? Attendance at the Upper Peninsula State Fair in Escanaba was up 3% to nearly 100,000 people, with records set on four of the seven days. The mid-August fair was canceled in 2020 because of COVID-19. Organizers attributed the good turnout to dry weather and a desire to again enjoy a summer tradition. Skerbeck Entertainment Group, which supplies the rides, says unlimited ride passes were sold out two weeks earlier than usual. Sonja Skerbeck says that was an indicator that attendance would be strong. Livestock auctions raised more than $491,000 for young exhibitors.

FIREARMS SEIZED

Men sue to try to recover firearms seized from hunting cabin

MERRILL, Mich. (AP) — Nearly four years later, two men are turning to federal court to try to recover 13 guns seized from a hunting cabin in Saginaw County. The sheriff’s office seized the guns after responding to a dispute between a man and a woman who were using the cabin in 2017. The man grabbed a shotgun and was subsequently charged with domestic violence. The case ended in 2019, but the sheriff’s office has refused to release the firearms. Attorney Philip Ellison says the 13 guns had nothing to do with the incident. The owners of the guns and the cabin weren’t present. So far, Saginaw County Sheriff William Federspiel isn’t backing down.

BENZENE VAPOR-MICHIGAN SEWERS

Ford plant caused benzene vapor in Detroit suburb’s sewers

FLAT ROCK, Mich. (AP) — Ford and Michigan environmental officials say one of the automaker’s plants is the source of benzene vapor in sewers that forced the evacuation of 10 homes and a school in the Detroit suburb of Flat Rock. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy confirmed Friday that a fuel leak at the Ford Flat Rock Assembly Plant caused the vapor. It said hazardous materials technicians would inject fire suppressant foam to begin dealing with the problem. It also said an estimated 1,000 to 3,000 gallons of unleaded gasoline spilled into the city’s sewers.

AP-US-UAW-CORRUPTION

UAW watchdog getting evidence from feds in corruption probe

DETROIT (AP) — Federal prosecutors in Detroit put a herd of UAW officials in prison. Now they’re sharing additional evidence with a court-appointed watchdog who has authority to pursue other misconduct at the union. The independent monitor, Neil Barofsky, can investigate and bring disciplinary charges inside the United Auto Workers. A judge took the unusual step of giving prosecutors permission to share grand jury materials and other records. The government says the monitor’s staff has met with people who cooperated with agents in the criminal investigation. The investigation led to a dozen convictions at the UAW, including prison terms for two presidents, Gary Jones and Dennis Williams.

OAKLAND UNIVERSITY-STRIKE

Oakland U faculty end strike with new contract with school

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. (AP) — Professors at at Oakland University in suburban Detroit have ended a two-day strike after reaching a contract agreement with the school. The two sides struck a deal at 12:30 a.m. Saturday. Terms haven’t been disclosed. The university and its branch of the American Association of University Professors sent a joint statement to the campus Saturday morning saying “the faculty will undertake all feasible measures to assure that full course content and learning objectives are delivered to their students, and that all requirements for credits and program accreditations are satisfied.” The 880-member union went on strike Thursday morning as classes began for the 2021-22 school year. The school has about 18,000 students.

MAYOR-PRAYER

Saginaw mayor invites public to pray in park for peace

SAGINAW, Mich. (AP) — The mayor of Saginaw is inviting residents to a park Sunday to pray for “peace in our city.” Brenda Moore is joining local pastors and others at 2 p.m. in Borchard Park. By late August, Saginaw had at least 12 homicides compared to 15 at the same time in 2020. There have been more than 60 shootings this year in Saginaw. The mayor says she believes that prayer is a “crucial element” in fighting violence and other issues that divide the city. Moore says, “Everyone is invited, from the east and west, all races, all religions.”

VIRUS OUTBREAK-GIFT CARDS

City trying to recover cost of nearly $200K in gift cards

MUSKEGON, Mich. (AP) — A city in western Michigan is trying to figure out what to do with nearly $200,000 in gift cards purchased to support restaurants businesses during the pandemic. The cards were never formally approved by Muskegon city commissioners, although City Manager Frank Peterson says he got the blessing of four commissioners through email. Muskegon’s city attorney says the gift cards should have been approved by the commission during a public meeting. A committee led by Muskegon’s economic development director says businesses and philanthropists have been approached about paying 25%. The city would then sell the cards to the public at 75% of their face value.

WEST NILE VIRUS-MICHIGAN

First West Nile virus cases of year in Michigan found

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — It’s the height of mosquito season in Michigan and the first West Nile virus cases have been found in residents in the southeastern part of the state. West Nile virus, as well as Jameson Canyon virus have been found in mosquitoes tested in several southeastern counties as well as Kent County in western Michigan. The state health department is advising residents to take preventive measures to keep from getting bitten by mosquitoes. That includes wearing shoes and socks, using insect repellent and ensuring that the doors and windows in homes are repaired and have tight-fitting screens.